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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Interviewing Your Characters

Sandra here, enjoying a lovely walk on the beach of Unpubbed Island. Walking helps me plot a story. I discover my best ideas while walking.

However, all the ideas in the world aren't going to make the story come alive.

Characters are the key.

Haven't you heard editors say they want character driven stories?

I started a new wip and had great ideas for the plot. The setting is in Sedona which is one of the most beautiful places in the world with all the red rock spires and canyons. In spite of an exciting and action filled beginning, I couldn't get moving past chapter two.

The heroine lives on a large piece of land bordering the wilderness area. A flashflood threatens a hiker with a small child (the hero and his nephew). She gets them out of harms way and takes them to her cabin which is now isolated because of washed out roads.

Geri does not want to leave her grandmother's isolated ranch, so she can't fall in love with the man she rescued from a flashflood, especially when that man works for a relief organization that chases global disasters.

I took the first chapter to a friend who said "nice outline".

First clue.

Then she started asking me questions.

Second clue.

The questions made me realize I didn't really know my characters.

Third clue.

I know the Seekers have done great posts on characters already so pulled up

I also reviewed some of the other super articles. You can find them listed to the right of this article under labels-scroll down to the word characters.

Now with all of this motivation to get to know my characters, I remembered my friend Laura Schnebly Campbell has great tips for interviewing your characters.

The logical next step: I began interviewing my characters.

First question. Why doesn't Geri want to leave the ranch? I had an idea, but as my friend pointed out. Not strong enough. So what would make a strong motive?

Next question: Why was the hero (Mark) hiking and in harm's way of a flashflood? Tourists hike in Sedona so that seemed obvious to me, but then again, what goal and motivation would put him there and cause what conflict? The flood was an exciting start and obvious conflict, but after he is out of harm's way, then what?

By the time I filled out Cheryl's list, Myra's spreadsheet and asked the questions Laurie had, I really had a handle on those characters. And the best part was, after getting to know them so well, the writing now flows. Now I can hint at these little facts I know about them so that it ups the goal, motivation, conflict elements in each scene.

Geri has promised her grandmother she will protect the land her ancestors homesteaded years ago. There are Native American ruins on the land and tour guides trespass with tourists looking for the "famed vortex" Geri knows this because she dated a man whose true interest in her was to obtain the land so he could exploit the tourists.

Now let's look at what this information does to my wip.

First version:

“You might as well follow me. That water washed out the road.You’ll be staying awhile.”

He paused. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Wish I was.”

The man grunted.

She studied the frustration in his expression and also noted the L.L. Bean type clothes, the boots that had no wear and tear. “Hope you like rustic.”

“What I’d like is to be home,” he muttered.

“And that is…?”

“The Bay Area.”

She frowned. The bay? What bay?

“You know, San Francisco area.”

“Oh. Sure.”Like how was she supposed to know that? It’s not like she ever traveled anywhere. She’d lived her whole life on her grandmother’s ranch near Sedona. She’d never ventured out of the area. Hadn’t ever wanted to. Hadn’t ever needed to. Until now.

After interviewing Geri I added these parts.

“You might as well follow me. That water washed out the road.You’ll be staying awhile.”

He paused. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Wish I was.” Like she needed another expense. She barely had enough to pay the taxes coming up. Looked like she was going to have to trek into town and look for a job.

The man grunted.

She studied the frustration in his expression and also noted the L.L. Bean type clothes, the boots that had no wear and tear. “Hope you like rustic.”

“What I’d like is to be home,” he muttered.

“And that is…?”

“The Bay Area.”

She frowned. The bay? What bay?

“You know, San Francisco area.”

“Oh. Sure.”Like how was she supposed to know that? It’s not like she ever traveled anywhere. She’d lived her whole life in Northern Arizona. With the exception of the four years at Northern Arizona University, she'd spent most of it on her grandmother’s ranch near Sedona.

Do you see how those two snippets of information deepens Geri's character? Now we know some of her background and we know she needs money for taxes and it was wiped out in the flood. After interviewing Geri, I discovered she is educated even though she lives in primitive conditions. So that makes me want to know why she lives there. And how do you find primitive conditons near Sedona, a big tourist area?

.

I'm still interviewing Mark. He works for a disaster relief program similar to Samaritan'sPurse and brought his nephew on a much needed vacation. His recently widowed sister is having financial difficulties and lives in an undesirable part of San Francisco. Overprotective Mark is looking for a place he can buy for his sister to raise her son.

So if you have any ideas to play around with let me know.

Also, share with us ways you discover your characters. Do you have a form with their long range goal, short range goal, character flaw, relationship barrier?

My goal is to finish this and enter it into the Genesis contest. The deadline is March 31st. If you're an ACFW member, I'm offering the contest entry fee for a prize. So let me know in your comment that you'd like to be entered. Be sure and add your email address. Winner will be notified and announced on weekend edition.

That brings me back to my hut on Unpubbed Island.

Good thing I love it since I've been here awhile.

The food is great and walks on the beach are very inspiring.

Let's see. We always start with coffee. Tina got us into that habit. smile Of course, my fav--Chocolate Velvet. There's hot chocolate and tea. And coconut milk for something different.

For breakfast I talked Captain Jack out of his recipe for omelets so help yourself. There's platters of chopped onions, peppers, mushrooms, spinach, artichokes, sausage, ham, bacon bits, cheese etc. so make your own.

There are bowls of fresh homemade salsa too. And if you're getting here later in the day, we'll add guacamole and chips for an afternoon snack.

43 comments
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My first question to you would be: what is the sister's reaction to big brother's overprotection? Does she appreciate it or feel smothered?

If she appreciates it, then that's great, but no internal conflict. If she's independent and feels smothered and resents him trying to order her around (esp. if he's older and been doing it all her life) then maybe on this vacation he needed to think through- or plot- how to get her to do what he wants. What if the brother-sister got into a big fight just before he left with nephew? What if instead of helping sister as is his attention, his ordering her around causes her more strain which upsets him?

Just thoughts to ponder. I may be way off base, so ignore them if you want.

Sis hates that he is so overprotective and that is why she encouraged him to go on this trip. She does want to leave San Francisco and Sedona is not close to airports so brother won't be popping in that often.

The overprotectiveness is going to be a problem with the heroine too. She's very independent and resourceful.

I like the idea that he's upset because his helpfulness causes strain. That is so oldest child.

Ruthy, You would put coconut milk in your coffee. Yuk. I like to cook rice and red beans in my coconut milk. yum

And PUHLEASE, you didn't have to make a comment about the permanent marker. I am doing better. Promise.

And all the tough as nails stuff?I learned from Ruthy. HA.

She was raised by her maternal granny. At a very young age her mother died in a tragic accident while traveling abroad. Her father left her with Granny and never came back.

Growing up with Granny who was a free spirit herself, Geri loves to roam free, speak her mind, and do things on her own.

She hates shopping so clothes are very utilitarian. Hated school because other kids made fun of her. Loved her teachers though, especially one who taught her to value her independence and unique spirit.

Also interested her in archeology since the area is full of ruins, she went on many field trips to study them.

Good morning, Sandra! Love walking barefoot along the shore, chatting about the process of discovering our characters.

The inciting incident like your flashflood are fun to write. They bring our heroes and heroines together with a bang, but usually that conflict is short term.

To get that story-length conflict between them is tougher. I start by figuring out their goals. What do they want and why? That requires me to know their back story. For me, digging into their pasts is when the fun begins. Those tough experiences shape who they are now and make me care. Once I care, they become real to me. That helps me write their stories.

The thing that makes them strong is also their weakness or flaw. In my wip my heroine is very caring but that caring nature also gets her into trouble.

I'll play with your story. :-) Geri's past sets them up for strong romantic conflict. She's not going to trust a man's interest in her.

Mark must have a desk job instead of traveling to the disaster areas since his boots are shiny new. So he's a greenhorn in the wilderness.And she's the expert. Lots of potential for conflict and fun.

A couple questions--he's looking for property for his sister, but wouldn't land near Sedona be expensive? How does he have that kind of money? Why does he want his sister and nephew to live far from him? What will keep him there? We know she won't leave that land.

None of this is easy, is it? Making up people, giving them pain and eventually happiness is a whole lot of work!

Good morning, Sandra! Ahh, beach walking. Good for the soul, not to mention walking barefoot on the beach smooths off the rough skin to make feet pedicure pretty : )

Don't you just love the spa effect??

I used to muddle through my plot not realizing the strength (or lack of)of my GMC until the end of multiple drafts.

Last year, I stumbled on a new concept...do a quick skeletal version of the story-about 10 to 15 pages. Then go back and write the 5 Ws and an H in the margins to locate spots where I either need to develope more or save the trait/idea/emotion for a different book.

Amazingly helpful! Makes me dig deep into the characters to find out the important stuff.

Ooo, just a quick dollop of coconut milk in my coffee. Gotta love it. Egg white only omelette, please. Waistline has a way to go before I can slip into the springtime capris : )

This is a timely post for me because I'm trying to get proposals together for two new WIPs. I'm definately going to have to fill out character sheets for one.

Maybe your heroine stays on the land because of her promise to her grandmother but deep down inside it's because she knows the struggle her grandparents went through to own/maintain the land? For the hero, maybe he did have a desk job but the death of his brother in law prompted him to leave his old life trapping behind and do something that helps mankind, this is why he's in trendy clothes and didn't know much about the area to get trapped in the flood? Just ideas.....

May I take a moment and say: I purchased a book with a LOVELY cover yesterday in the Walmart in Victoria, TX. It's by a new author, Ruth Logan Herne...anyone here heard of her???? : )

Rose

PS I'll pass on the contest because I don't really have anything ready. Good luck to the other posters.

Sandra, I think this is just what I needed today. To be reminded that I need to get to know my characters better, because then the plot will flow better.

As for your hero, maybe there's a deeper reason that he is so protective of his sister. Maybe she was mugged on her way home one day and he's afraid something is going to happen to her and his nephew won't have a mother. And maybe all his overprotectiveness annoys the heroine. Maybe she had a controlling father and she thinks the hero is going to be like him. Just a thought.

WOW, Sandra, are you making me think this morning, and boy, does it hurt!! :)

Interviewing your characters is an awesome idea -- I've never tried it, but I would like to. I always get so amazed at the various means of delving into one's characters because I am such a seat-of-the-pants writer, that it extends even to my characters, unfortunately. They don't usually come alive for me UNTIL I am actually writing them on the page. Makes me wonder just how deep they could be if I actually did it the right way and plotted/interviewed/delved into their personalities/motivations/goals ahead of time!

I had to smile at what K.C. SAID: "In a Writer's Digest interview seems like Jerry Jenkins/Stephen King talked about being surprised at some of the things they wrote and the outcomes."

Gosh, I have to say that's been my experience with both plots and characters, which now that I think of it, is pretty scary and makes me long to be a plotter at times instead! :)

Fascinating post and premise, Sandra, and I can't wait to see what you do with it!

I love the Sedona area. I’d live there if my wife would let me. I see God everywhere I look in that landscape.

I’d love to read your book.

As a philosopher, the first thing I though of in your story was that the heroine is of Native American heritage. I see her as a Hopi, an outsider in a Navajo world as a child, who now has strong Christian beliefs. I see the hero as an Anglo who has converted to Native American spiritual beliefs. The hero is also an amateur anthropologist, thus his interest in going to third world disaster areas where he also gets to sturdy the local population and their origins. This respect for other peoples makes him an ideal relief worker.

The hero wants his sister and nephew to live there because he believes the area is a vortex of healing power. (It’s Sedona, of course this is true).

The conflict here is having the heroine, as a native American, supporting western Christian views, while the hero, an Anglo, supports traditional native American spiritual beliefs.

In all this there are problems of identity and authenticity. Also there is the question of whether our beliefs make us who we are or whether who we are make us believe the way we do. I like deep inner conflicts with universal human implications.(Especially when they are funny).

I too am very interested in interviewing characters.

Here are my suggestions on conducting an interview:

Ask the character what questions she wants you to ask her. You’ll get a whole different set of questions than you would have asked.

Ask another writer to supply you with questions. Don’t ask you own on the first interview.

Ask your character to interview you. You can learn a lot about a person by what questions they ask and don’t ask that they should have asked.

Listen to the silence. Notice what questions were not asked by all parties concerned. Why were they not asked? Sometimes what a suspect does not say speaks louder than anything he could have said.

Your idea is similar to what we did at a ya retreat with my local scbwi group. They had us print our whole manuscript single space and the smallest font possible. Then highlighted with different colors the conflict, emotion, action, etc.

Then spread the whole thing on the floor. Boy that visual really shows the holes in the story.

Thanks for sharing your idea. Sounds easier. And helpful before writing rather than after.

KC, I love the premise from Scene and Structure to think up five outcomes and pick the most unexpected.

Donald Maas suggests something similar by thinking of what the character is most afraid of and then plop them in the middle of it.

I did that in a manuscript that is sitting on an editor's desk btw. The hero nearly drowned as a child so is deathly afraid of water. He goes on a steamboat cruise because his dying father wants to get close to him. And furthermore a huge storm comes up and he must face danger that involves possible drowning.

Hmmm, now that I'm talking, I better think of what Geri and Mark are deathly afraid of. That will definitely add conflict.

Something happened to hold her there, and guilt is a great thing for that. Responsibility for something that either happened or could happen and misplaced guilt weighs her down because ingrained guilt is what keeps therapists in business and Oprah on TV.

I think it's got to be more than the burial ground unless the burial ground has personal connection. Too holistic makes for a thin conflict. And makes me want to slap her. Too 60's/70's. Gag.

(Sandra will smack me off-blog, you all understand that, right? But she'll be polite in public so I'm having LOTS OF FUN at her expense).

What did she see/miss/do/want that develops her?

Daddy left her.

That's traumatic.

And Mom died. We've got kind of a Beaches thing there, so I would probably make the kid the anti of the aunt...

If aunt was of the land, Geri wouldn't be but she's stuck there and has to adapt. Her life is all about adapting because her family dynamic disappeared with Mom and Dad.

If aunt loved the sacred ground, Geri would wonder what the big deal was.

But then she'd feel Guilty and Responsible because she really didn't care but knew she SHOULD care, and while she didn't necessarily feel she belonged with auntie, she knows she doesn't really belong ANYWHERE because didn't her mother die and leave her and her father just plain left her?

Sometimes going with the opposite of what you expect takes that layer deeper... Science: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

So that plagues her within and without, internal and external. The poor girl doesn't know if she's coming or going and WHY THE HECK IS MARK SO DOGGONE GOOD LOOKING ANYWAY?????

Sandra, what fun today!!! Love brainstorming, but I don't have much time.

Here's the skinny (isn't that a 1940's word?):

The hero is rich. Made it maybe in Silicon Valley. Now doing ministry because of new found religion. Doesn't relate to his nephew but felt he should help the poor kid out. So he's not doing a good job in the uncle role, which the heroine picks up on.

Did she lose a child? She's lost mama and daddy, plus grandma (isn't it grandma and not aunt?). I'd like to have grandma buried on the property and have Indian blood so the heroine is part Native American. Plus the heroine may have lost hubby and baby. Or perhaps there wasn't a hubby but a lover who left her. She's not interested in men. Period!

But wait, if hero is rich, then maybe her lover had money. She got pregnant, and they were going to marry but his family convinced him to leave her. Perhaps they were opposed to her being NA. She did something foolish...what? Something involving the rugged land. Did she go into the desert and her car broke down. No water. She walked for miles and for some reason miscarried. (Am I getting too carried away?)

She feels an instant connection with the young boy, which might irritate the hero at first. The child brings joy to her heart and her home. Of course, the hero brings a nice warm feeling as well, which she tries to deny. He's got to have some good points. Maybe he can work with wood. Has done it as a hobby back in the Bay Area. Now he helps shore up her house that needs some major rework.

What's the ending? Another flood and the boy has wandered off? Hero and heroine search for him in the storm? Maybe the boy wants to stay on the land and the hero knows it's time to leave.

If you didn't have the sister...if she had passed away, the uncle could take his nephew on a vacation to Sedona. He and the boy need to get back to SF, but both of them want to stay with the heroine. In the end they become a happy family, living in the hills.

Okay, I'm done! But I'll stop by later to see the other ideas. Fun post. Thanks, Sandra.

I guess we have something in common Sandra. I'm a teacher too. High School though. I'm afraid the 5 year olds terrify me. I wouldn't have enough energy to keep up with them, and the high schoolers get my off-the-wall, sarcastic sense of humor.

Late to reading again. Between a new job, the start of baseball season, and homework, I'm getting to things much later these days. Besides, I have three new Seeker books nestled atop my TBR pile. (And my back is still hurting from having had to sleep on the sidewalk in the cold to be the first to pick up Ruthy's new book.)

This may be off the wall, but them I've never been to Arizona, so I don't know it well. And, this may have been mentioned, but can the heroine fea drowning. I know there are flashfloods, but is northern Arizona essentially a dry area. Could helping the hero have been a challenge to begin to with?

After reading all the comments posted today, I think you have a very strong concept for a novel. Please give us updates as time goes by. You could have such beautiful cover art for that story. So many people are Southwest fans.

I have the first draft done on my book and I am doing character interviews myself right now before I do the first revisions.

I love the joy of creation but revisions, I do not love.

Blessed are the writers who like to revise, for they shall be called authors.

I've had great fun interviewing my characters to learn more about them.

Here's something I like doing which helps to bring my characters to life when I interview them. When tapping out each character's responses to your questions, use a font that you feel represents that character e.g. try Rockwell Extra Bold for Mark and Mistral for Geri.